There’s more music than Taylor Swift
the Medium.com “Music” tags feature more stories about Taylor Swift than any other artists this month. I feel like I need to step in and introduce people to all the OTHER MUSIC THAT IS AVAILABLE.
I have never listened to a Taylor Swift song in its entirety. That’s my own fault. I choose to listen to music that’s a little under the radar, but you know what? A lot of that music is just as friendly and enjoyable as Taylor Swift. That might be a bold statement. Let me try to back up my claim with ten examples.
Here’s what I know about Taylor Swift music:
- It’s Friendly
- It’s Inclusive
- It’s Safe
- It all kinda sounds the same.
With those guidelines, let me introduce ten bands that most Taylor Swift fans haven’t listened to, but might enjoy if they can tear themselves away from the new TS joint.
1. SPOON
Hot Thoughts
Spoon is a band I’ve been a fan of for twenty years. They are nothing if not consistent. They have released nine albums. Each album is recognizable as a Spoon album. They’ve been played on the radio, they have some hits. I’d consider them better than Taylor Swift.
2. VIVA VOCE
Octavio
Viva Voce was an indie rock band from Portland Oregon started by a husband/wife duo (who eventually divorced in 2013, logically causing the band to break up). Viva Voce got better with every album. The complimenting male/female vocals and harmonies sound excellent on every album. They never had huge hit songs, but were pretty big in indie rock circles in the early to mid 2000’s. They are worth checking out. I consider their sound on par with Taylor Swift (with added guitar riffage)
3. WILD BEASTS
A Simple Beautiful Truth
This one might be a bit of a stretch for your average Taylor Swift fan. A beautiful avant-pop band from a small English town. Wild Beasts released 6 albums (five studio albums, one live album) between 2008 and 2018. They were nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2009. The artsy side could make them harder to enjoy for simple Taylor Swift fans, but it’s easy to appreciate the beauty in everything they’ve released.
4. ANDREW BIRD
Imitosis
Andrew Birds records perfect coffee shop albums. They can easily be enjoyed by everyone. You can get lost in the sound or you can let it flow in the background, all the while bobbing your head or tapping your pencil to the delightful songs. He’s known to play violin and whistle. He has released 16 albums since 1996. He’s had a few hits and he’s even appearing on Season 4 of the television series FARGO. There is no reason any Taylor Swift fan wouldn’t enjoy this music.
5. JACKIE SHANE
Any Other Way
Jackie Shane was an incredible performer who never received the attention she deserved. One compilation album has been released by Numero Group in 2017. She was a pioneer transgender performer and helped cement the “Toronto Sound” in the 1960’s. Her 60’s soul / R&B style is perfect and can easily be enjoyed by anyone (even Taylor Swift fans).
6. NOUVELLE VAGUE
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Nouvelle Vague is a french bossa nova cover band who use a rotating cast of lead vocalists. The majority of songs they choose to cover are those by New Wave / Punk / Alternative style bands. They always put an interesting spin on the songs they choose and you don’t have to know the original to enjoy their recordings. Another band that’s totally safe to play in any coffee shop (depending on the punk lyrics, of course)
*Too Drunk
7. POLIÇA
I See My Mother
Poliça is probably the most similar to Taylor Swift on this list — but nowhere near an exact replica. More like Taylor Swift’s dark/goth/punk sister. They are an art pop band from the midwest who experiment with rhythm, synths and voice manipulation. At times they can be very dramatic and other times very minimal. They have released five albums since 2012 and each one, while recognizable as Poliça, plays around with their sound a bit. They are not afraid to challenge themselves.
8. SHANNON SHAW
Broke My Own
Shannon Shaw fronts the vintage garage-punk band Shannon & The Clams (who put on one of the best live shows you’ll ever see). In 2018 She recorded her own “solo” album (members of the Clams still perform on it) produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Shannon & the Clams have 6 albums, Shannon Shaw has released only one solo album so far.
Shannon Shaw has a lot more talent than Taylor Swift. She takes risks with both her personal and musical style (yet you’ll always be able to recognize her voice). If you like the sounds of 60 rock ‘n roll / R&B and soul, you’ll probably enjoy this more than you will enjoy Taylor Swift.
9. WARPAINT
Elephants
As we go down this list it’s harder to remain in a Taylor Swift mindset. I’m not sure if die hard TS fans will appreciate Warpaint as much as I do, but you know what? Who cares? Warpaint might be the most well-known band on this list (but still not as big as they should be). I saw them open for Depeche Mode at the Hollywood Bowl, so that’s pretty big.
Regardless, They have released 3 albums and one incredible EP. I bet you will like them if you give them a chance, even if you’d rather be listening to the same Taylor Swift song you’ve heard a hundred times.
10. BLOUSE
Time Travel
Blouse is another band from Portland Oregon. This one fronted by Charlie Hilton. Blouse has only released two albums, the last one in 2013 so they may not be a band any longer, especially since Charlie Hilton released a solo album in 2016, but I can’t find anything about Blouse being broken up.
Anyway, Blouse are enjoyable, dreamy, shoegazy retro futuristic band that sound cooler than you’ll ever be. Nothing like Taylor Swift.
So all you Swifties reading this, give one (or all) of these bands a shot and let me know how you think they compare to the incomparable Taylor Swift. If nothing else, you’ll open a few doors to some great music you may have never heard.
